Too proud to sign on

amcluesent

It must be a confusing time for staff at the Jobcentres having people turning up who are actually wanting to get back into work.

Running_Horse

amcluesent wrote: »

It must be a confusing time for staff at the Jobcentres having people turning up who are actually wanting to get back into work.

That's why I understand those who don't bother. When I was made redundant it was a real eye opener: Not being entitled to a penny of benefits despite working for 20 years, being patronised by staff asking for proofs of job seeking when I had sent off 200 CVs, while being surrounded by people who had no intention of working. If it happened again I wouldn't go to the job centre, not even for the NI stamp.

bendix

I wouldn't sign on. Never have. Never will.

Neither am I intersted in drawing any insulting state pension which, frankly, is currently less than I currently pay in NI contributions.

The state paid for my education and - because of my family background - I was one of the last to receive a full grant as a student. Thanks guy . . I appreciate it, but I think I've paid for it back by now, and I don't want anything else. I am an adult - I can take care of me and mine, alone.

luvpump

I signed on a few years back, Its good to swallow ones pride & have a little dose of Humility from time to time IMO ..

SingleSue

From HMRC site

Working Tax Credit (WTC) is for people who are employed or self employed (either on their own or in a business partnership), who

• get paid for their work
• expect to go on working for at least 4 weeks
and who are either
• aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child, and usually working at least 16 hours a week, or
• aged 16 or over and disabled, and usually working at least 16 hours a week, or
• aged 50 or over and are starting work after receiving certain benefits for at least 6 months and usually working at least 16 hours a week, or
• aged 25 or over and usually working at least 30 hours a week.

Microstar_2

I have run my own business(es) for the past 30 years and always made use of any money I could get from government (grants, youth opps etc etc) as do all other businesses, big and small. Anyone who doesn't take advantage of what is available is an idiot.

PS - never been in a Job Centre in my life, but would go in tomorrow if there was no alternative.

kennyboy66_2

bendix wrote: »

I wouldn't sign on. Never have. Never will.

Neither am I intersted in drawing any insulting state pension which, frankly, is currently less than I currently pay in NI contributions.

The state paid for my education and - because of my family background - I was one of the last to receive a full grant as a student. Thanks guy . . I appreciate it, but I think I've paid for it back by now, and I don't want anything else. I am an adult - I can take care of me and mine, alone.

Where exactly do you draw the line, would you refuse to call the fire brigade if your house was on fire ?

Do you just drive up and down the M6 toll road or walk around at night with a bag on your head to avoid taking advantage of street lighting ?

I was also amongst the last group of students to get a full grant - I've never once thought that there would come a point when my "debt" had been paid and xxxx the rest of society.

lynzpower

I live in Tokyo and the pound is so weak and the Yen so strong, you can earn 50pounds an hr minimum, you can get 60pounds an hour to stand in the street holding a sign

Is this actually true?

*hovers over expedia....*

amcluesent

I signed-on for maybe three months in 2002. Best to to take an ironic/detached view IMHO. BTW, to 'prove' you are applying for jobs, just take in a copy of the town's free newspaper with some of the sit-vacs ringed with a highlighter pen. That's 100% more effort than most claimants make.

And if after 18months they are agitating to transfer you from JSA to 'New Deal', just take a minimum-wage job for a week and then walk out. That'll reset the clock for another 18 months JSA.

StevieJ

bo_drinker wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00j5gxf/Jeremy_Vine_18_03_2009

Lots of people are losing their jobs and entitled to sign on but won't as they are too proud Their loss, over recent years the ones signing on have been labelled scroungers etc so these folk don't want that label. Are they right or stupid for not taking what is rightfully theirs after paying their taxes etc ??

Without doubt, Yes, in the extreme